Maidenhead Utd 0 HRBFC 2
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- Created on Friday, 18 November 2011 19:25
- Written by Rob Overfield
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Beavers too good for lethargic Magpies
The in-form Dave Tarpey's instinctive finish set the foundation for the teams first away win of the season over a subdued Maidenhead team that looked hung over from their FA Cup exploits at the weekend. Nathan Collier sealed the points as he was in the right place to pick up a spilled shot from Beasant and finished with some assurance.
On the way to the game your correspondent mused that this was the first game between the two teams that Alan Devonshire hadn't been on one or the other bench...
The Beavers dominated from the start and within the first 10 minutes, had already registered three good chances. With just 5 minutes on the watch, Dave Tarpey latched onto a delightful chipped pass but his shot from the edge of the box was high and wide. Two minutes later, Josh Huggins took control in the box, but the shot was saved by Magpies keeper Beasant to his left, and finally Joel Ledgister managed to get clear after a Maidenhead defender missed his header, but his shot lacked power and Beasant wasn't troubled.
Huggins and Andrews were playing with some confidence in the middle and the Magpies resorted to using the flanks instead, a promising move saw a cross from the hosts flash right across goal and away to safety.
On the half hour, the Beavers won a free kick close by the right touchline, some 25 yards out. JJ O'Donnell caressed the ball with his left foot, the cross cleared everyone and ended up in the back of the net. However the celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee, who signalled a foul by a Hampton player, ruling the goal out. Later this was found to be for a shirt pull, the kind of which happens all the time in goal mouth action these days...
Maidenhead took this as signal to wake up and started to make moves down the right. A pin-point pass to Manny Williams was just right for him to shoot with some power from the edge of the box. Craig Ross had no chance in the Beavers goal as it flew past, but the sound of ball on bar as the shot flew away must have relieved him greatly.
Hampton settled it back down again, and perpetual thorn JJ O'Donnell, who must be loving his time at the Beveree, fed in James Simmonds, whose attempted chip over the keeper was saved easy by Beasant.
HT 0-0
The second half began with Maidenhead having some decent possession but on 51 minutes, Dave Tarpey managed to get clear in the area, his shot tested Beasant, requiring a smart save low to the right of the goal.
Hampton soon regained their dominance of play, and forced series of corner, from which the ball fell to Jamie Simmonds outside the box. He switched the ball to his left foot and his shot once again forced Beasant make the save.
On 65 minutes the Beavers opened their account, with another memorable goal from Dave Tarpey. JJ O'Donnell's run down the left opened up the defence, and his pacy cross was met at the near post by Tarpey, whose instinctive deflection took the ball past and over Beasant.
The Magpies tried to get back on terms, forcing corners but the Beavers defence, ably marshalled by Matt Ruby and Billy Jeffreys, held firm. Joel Ledgister was demonstrating his admirable work rate and he managed to win the ball, when perhaps he shouldn't have had a chance, but he didn't get the reward his efforts deserved as his shot was held easily by Beasant.
Immediately afterwards, Maidenhead nearly broke through to equalise as a looping cross-shot cleared the flying Craig Ross, but the ball bounced off the bar and the follow-up shot was tipped over by Ross as he recovered his position.
With just 10 minutes to go, the Beavers made certain of the points as Dave Tarpey's shot was spilled by Beasant, Nathan Collier was on hand to collect the rebound, spin round and bury the ball past covering defenders into the back of the net.
Maidenhead now were pretty much resigned to the defeat, but with 5 minutes left, Joel Ledgister attempted a speculative cross which deceived the keeper, but bounced off the top of the bar for a goal kick.
The result was pretty much what the performance deserved, in fact it may have flattered the Magpies somewhat. The team were generally in control, keeping the ball with short passes, and in defence they kept pressing and harassing the Magpies from beginning to end. Ledgister and Tarpey continued their blossoming partnership and generally made life difficult for the defenders, who found O'Donnell hard to handle again.
This sets up a vital match against Thurrock on Saturday, and on this performance, the Beavers would look to be the favourites.
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Maidenhead Utd 0
HRBFC 2
Tarpey 64, Collier 80
Att 227
Ross, Ferrell, O'Donnell, Jeffreys, Ruby (c), Andrews, Collier, Huggins, Ledgister (Thompson 87), Simmonds (Johnson 68), Tarpey.
Subs not used: Moone, Morgan, Hickey
